Complete the following equation, which is a summary of photosynthesis - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 11 - 2005
Question 11
Complete the following equation, which is a summary of photosynthesis.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 + chlorophyll ⟶
(i) Where in the cells of a leaf is chlorophyll found?
(b)... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Complete the following equation, which is a summary of photosynthesis - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 11 - 2005
Step 1
(i) Where in the cells of a leaf is chlorophyll found?
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Answer
Chlorophyll is primarily found in the chloroplasts of leaf cells. These organelles contain the green pigment that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.
Step 2
(i) Light energy trapped by chlorophyll is used to split water. List three products that result when water is split.
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Answer
The light energy trapped by chlorophyll leads to the splitting of water molecules, producing:
Oxygen (O2)
Hydrogen ions (H+)
Electrons (e-)
Step 3
(ii) Describe what happens to each of the three products that you have listed in (i).
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Oxygen (O2): Released as a byproduct into the atmosphere, which is vital for respiration in animals and humans.
Hydrogen ions (H+): Utilized in the formation of NADPH, which is essential for the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis.
Electrons (e-): Passed along the electron transport chain to produce ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell.
Step 4
(iii) Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis. Where does it enter the leaf?
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Carbon dioxide enters the leaf primarily through small openings called stomata, located on the leaf's surface. These openings allow gas exchange to occur.
Step 5
(iv) From your knowledge of photosynthesis suggest a way to increase the yield of plants such as lettuces in a greenhouse.
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To increase the yield of plants like lettuces in a greenhouse, one can optimize conditions by lengthening the duration of artificial light exposure. This promotes greater photosynthetic activity, potentially enhancing growth and yield.
Step 6
(i) What is respiration?
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Respiration is a biochemical process in which organisms convert the energy stored in food into usable energy. This process involves the oxidation of glucose to release energy, which is then used for various cellular activities.
Step 7
(ii) Suggest one reason why living organisms need to respire.
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Living organisms need to respire to release energy from food, which is essential for maintaining cellular functions, growth, movement, and overall metabolism.
Step 8
(iii) What is aerobic respiration?
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Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in the presence of oxygen. During this process, glucose is completely broken down into carbon dioxide and water, and a significant amount of energy (ATP) is produced.
Step 9
(iv) Respiration can also be anaerobic. Which of the two types of respiration releases more energy?
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Aerobic respiration releases more energy compared to anaerobic respiration. This is because aerobic respiration fully oxidizes glucose, yielding up to 38 ATP molecules, while anaerobic respiration typically produces only about 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.
Step 10
(v) Anaerobic respiration by micro-organisms is called fermentation. Give one example of industrial fermentation, including the type of micro-organism and the substance produced.
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An example of industrial fermentation is the production of beer using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In this process, yeast ferments sugars in grains, producing alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
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